Senator urged transparency, consumer consent, data security requirements in final order
Washington (October 6, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, today applauded an order circulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that safeguards Americans’ privacy online. Last year, the FCC reclassified broadband as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act and adopted rules to protect the open internet. This summer, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this reclassification. As part of reclassification, the Commission chose to apply Title II privacy protections to broadband. The FCC’s broadband privacy rules give consumers more power to prevent their information from being collected and used, and protect information that has been gathered. The FCC’s rules will promote transparency by requiring (internet service providers) ISPs to disclose what information is being collected and how it is used, give consumers choice over how ISPs use their personal information, and promote data security and establish breach notification requirements.
In July, Senator Markey led a letter with six other Senators urging the FCC to finalize the rules. The FCC will vote on this item on October 27th.
“Every click an American makes online paints a detailed picture of their personal and professional lives, and this sensitive information should be protected by strong broadband privacy standards,” said Senator Markey. “With strong broadband privacy rules in place, ISPs would be required to receive consumers consent before sharing their personal information with advertisers and other third-parties. I support the Commission’s effort to finalize this rulemaking this month and ensure that broadband providers protect the privacy of consumers who use the company’s wired and wireless infrastructure to connect to the world.”
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